Site visit two (09/05/07)

Multi-Store Complex Princes Highway, Geelong

On Wednesday 9th I spoke to Chris of Polaris construction who explained that the building was to be a multi-store complex, with car-park underneath, and raised roof space in the centre for a rockclimbing wall. This was to be constructed in conjunction with Lyons construction.
The Structural sytem is a tilt-up portal frame construction. Before the panel props are moved, these must be checked with an engineer. As these are pre-fabricated they are cured before they arrive. The minimum curing time is four days.

Flooring System

The floor is constructed using a post tension slab, which requires less reinforcement and uses suspension cables. On the first day the concrete is poured, the next day, the cables are stressed to 20%, and then five days after that, they are fully stressed (quick curing).
If the slab is on the ground, hold down bolts are used, otherwise cast a footing in the ground then slab around.

Panel to Panel Connection

To achieve panel to panel connection the grout is poured through the liquid tube to seal the two panels together; otherwise ties can be made through cast-in cleats which are then welded to other panels
Each panel weighs approximately 18 tonne, and is 14 metres in length, with a two metre extension on the top.

Roofing System

Once the panels are securely in place, the roof is then loaded on top. Firstly wall ties are connected which are designed to take the beam load, and then are fixed back onto the panels.
Once this is all in place, the roof is loaded with purlins, followed by the fly girts which assist the main rafters in carrying the roof load affectively.
The spacing of the steel columns (which support the roof beams/rafters) across the floor space is eight metres in length, and 19 metres width.